The NBA Academy Africa opened in Saly, Senegal, in 2018. It houses elite basketball players from Africa to train in preparation for a collegiate or professional career. From inside the gym to notable academy alums, here are five things to…
The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism
At NBA Academy Africa, a commitment to supporting the youngest players
SALY, Senegal — Seifeldin Hendawy traveled to this coastal resort town when he was 16 years old. Over three thousand miles away from his home in Egypt, Hendawy chased a dream of a professional basketball career at NBA Academy Africa.…
African basketball’s changing of the guard
SALY, Senegal – Joel Embiid, Hakeem Olajuwon, Dikembe Mutombo. These are the elite African professional basketball players that National Basketball Association fans have known over the decades, towering big men who dominate the low post on both ends of the…
BAL Championship: Playing with pride
After the Basketball Africa League Championship Game, Solo Diabate and Carlos Morais, two highly accomplished African basketball players, reflected on why they play for the BAL. Both found a common similarity; they are representing Africa.
NBA Finals inspire players at NBA Academy Africa
SALY, Senegal – Players at the NBA Academy in Africa stayed up late to watch Game One of the NBA finals. Practices at the academy are usually early in the morning but staff granted a later start to give players…
Club Rafiki: Where basketball dreams flourish
KIGALI, Rwanda – Club Rafiki provides free access to basketball for kids in Kigali. Two courts established in 2022 sit side by side and serve as a meeting space and training ground.
Watch an NBA Finals Game with Africa’s top basketball prospects
SALY, Senegal – Players from eight different countries stepped onto the TD Garden floor for Game One of the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night. None was from Africa. But more than 3,700 miles…
Baltimore native doesn’t let disappointments stand in the way of his basketball career
Nick Faust grew up with the dream to play in the NBA, but things do not always go as planned. However, Faust’s attitude and work ethic allowed him to play professional basketball still. Faust won the Basketball Africa League Season…
African-born NBA players focus on advancing the game
At the tip-off of the 2024 NBA season, team rosters included 19 African-born players. There have been 67 NBA players from the continent across the league’s history. The continent has produced two NBA MVPs, Hakeem Olajuwan in 1993 and Joel…
Basketball is booming in Africa, but court access lags
KIGALI, Rwanda — On a pleasant June morning with the sun peeking behind the Rwandan clouds, two basketball courts tucked away from the bustling Kigali streets offer a brief respite. Enclosed by murals, trees and a chain-link fence, Club Rafiki…
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